Around the Region: No tolerance for Jax Beach troublemakers; Clay mom among top of class; St. Aug woman paddles into history

Do you have something to share about your community outside Jacksonville? Send news-related tips to Scott Butlerat scott.butler@jacksonville.com or (904) 359-4566.

MAXVILLE

Monday is bingo night in Maxville

Monday night is now bingo night at the Maxville Seniors Activity Center at 18065 Pennsylvania Ave in Jacksonville just outside Baker County. Any senior 60 and older is welcome. The doors open at 6 p.m. and bingo runs from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The center is at 18065 Pennsylvania Avenue in Maxville. For more call Sherri Beaulieu, (904) 289-7157.

OLUSTEE

Olustee tours for school children

The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Olustee is upon us. Events begin Feb. 14 with tours and medical demonstrations for school children 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Teachers and administrators are encouraged to bring their classes to experience history firsthand. Preregister at battleofolustee.org.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH

Zero tolerance for troublemakers

Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham said among the top priorities for 2014 is addressing what he considers an excessive amount of drinking and related trouble in the downtown business district. Latham said he and city staff are working on several initiatives to bring a more family-friendly atmosphere to the district. He noted that police are taking a zero-tolerance approach to troublemakers, leading to an increase in arrests in the past year.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra comes to Beaches

The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s first community concert tour, “Stars of the Symphony,” makes its way to Jacksonville Beach at 8 p.m. Friday. It will be free at Palms Presbyterian Church, 3410 S. Third St. Call (904) 354- 5547 or go to JaxSymphony.org.

MIDDLEBURG

Mom is among top of class

Lisa Aflleje, 35, of Middleburg was presented with the Valedictorian Award during the St. Johns River State College fall graduation. The mother of two was selected out of about 600 graduates. The award includes a $500 scholarship and is given based on grade-point average and difficulty of courses. Aflleje is now headed to the University of North Florida this spring.

NASSAU

Bid for the kids

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County announced that all 610 seats at its seventh annual benefit gala at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, for Saturday are sold out. People unable to attend the performance by Broadway tenor Michael Amante can sign up and bid remotely on the silent auction qtego.net/auc/nassau.

NASSAU

Bird walk at Fort Clinch

The Duval Audubon Society and Nassau County Bird Club co-host a winter bird walk 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the Fort Clinch State Park Fishing Pier, 2601 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach. Bird expert Caroline Wyatt will lead the free walk to seek out the purple sandpiper, red-breasted Merganser, loons, Northern gannet and Bonaparte gull. Participants should dress warmly and meet at the pier entrance. For more call (904) 261-9272.

ST. AUGUSTINE

St. Augustine woman paddles into history

Jodi Eller became the first woman and 11th person to complete the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail that runs from Pensacola to Key West to the Georgia border, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. Eller, a 31-year-old kayaking guide for St. Augustine EcoTours and an Environmental Science teacher at Flagler College, paddled most of the trail in 2008 with husband Matt Keene, the first “thru paddler” of the trail, and she completed the remaining segments in late 2013.

ST. JOHNS

WWII veteran photos sought

The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach is seeking photographs of World War II veterans for its “Local Heroes” community exhibit from March 3-April 4. call (904) 280-0614, extension 205.

Good idea, Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham and staff. A half-century ago, when Jacksonville Beach had a more carnival or amusement park atmosphere, and was often full of sailors on leave, they did not have many of the problems which they are now addressing. A big part of that back then was their reputation for strict law enforcement.